Theater lighting apparatus



April 30, 1929. L. C.'DOANE THEATER LIGHTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR [ls-Ro DOA/v5 ATTORNEY April 1929- L. c. DOANE 1,711,263

THEATER LIGHTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a f4 O I 20 INVENTOR 0 zfwydiaw.

J JR". ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30, 19298 warren stares ATENT QFFlCE.

LEROY O. DOANE, OF MERIDE N, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE MILLER CGMPANY, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

THEATER LIGHTING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 21,1925. Serial No. 76,620.

The present invention relates to theater lighting apparatus, and is more particularly directed toward a type of apparatus suitable for supporting one or more lighting units in position to illuminate the stage, actors, scencry or other objects. The apparatus is suitable for use in foot lights, side lights or flood lights, and may also be used for display purposes, such in lighting exteriors.

In many locations, particularly in theater lighting, it is desirable to provide a battery of lamps which throws a strong light in a desired direction, and to be able to change these lights when it is desired to vary the scene, either for the purpose of changing the intensity of illumination or the color. or both. It has heretofore been necessary to provide either a number of circuits connected to ditierent lamps, or to remove one set of lamps and replace another set, or to provide a number of batteries of lamps which will be connected into the circuit, as desired.

According to the present invention, however, the electrical connections are all permanently made inside a suitable steel box of the proper size to carry the number of lamps desired, and suitable lighting units are provided which may be attached to or disccn-' neeted iromthe connections in thissteel box. These lighting units may include a lamp, socket, plug contacts, reflector and 'roundel. The box may be permanently wired up and mounted on pipes, stands or other supports when used as side or flood lights, or may be mounted infront of the stage when used as a toot light. These boxes may carry a number of contacts so arranged that the lighting units may be plugged into place, and may be carried in fixed sleeves mounted on the box.

In some cases, it is desirable to use lamps which have mogul bases, and as these large lamps with their reflectors and roundels quite heavy, the present invent-ion contemplates the provision of an auxiliary support for the mogul socket, lamp and reflector, so arranged that these parts (assembled as a unit) may be bodily removed, a cord and attachment plug being used to supply current to the unit.

l-in object of the present invention. is therefore to provide a lighting apparatus wherein one or more pairs of electrical contacts are permanently mounted in a boxand wherein removable lighting units supported from the box are arranged to be connected by plugging movable contacts into fixed cont-act's.

As it is desirable in theater lighting to provide the lamps with reflectors suitably arranged to throw the light in the desired direction, the present invention also contemplates the use of such a reflector in lighting units and the provision of aligning devices so arranged that the units, when plugged 1n,

will assume the proper oosition so as to direct the light in the desire direction.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a lighting unit in which the electric lamp, reflector, and contact apparatus is permanently connected so that the unit may be plugged mto the fixed contacts or removed from them expeditiously, and with a minimum likelihood of damage or breakage;

These units may be provided with difiierent sized lamps or with diiterently arranged reflectors, or with differently colored glass roundels, and all the units provided With a common size base so that they can be interchangcably plugged into the fixed contacts.

Another object of the invention is to provide suitable devices 'for holding a lamp socket and connector so that they may be properly aligned with cooperative stationary contacts and alignment devices. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device, which prevents the accidental removal of the lightingunit, and which holds the parts together when the lamps hang downwardly. Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustration, several of the many possible embodiments in which the present invention may take form, it being understood that the drawings are illustrative of the insection showing a form oi the apparatus which utilizes a locking collar to prevent accidental removal 01 the unit;

Figure 4; illustrates a slightly rnodilicd form of apparatus having no locking collar, the section being taken through the socket structure Figure 5 is a fragmentary view at right angles to Figure lshowing the lighting unit removed Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the box cover and receptacle con tacts;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view at a sma l scale showing a number of the lighting units;

l igure 8 is a sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing an outlet box ver carrying the fixed contacts and guiding sleeve;

. Figure 9 is a top plan view oil? such a cover;

Figure 10 illustrates an adaptation of the invention particularly arranged to use mogul sockets; and

Figure 11 is an elcva t onal view of the same, taken at right angles to Figure 10,

The lighting apparatus contemplated by the present invention, when in the form illustrated in the drawings, utilized a sheet steel box of a proper length to carry the number of lighting units desired. One or more such units may be connected to the box, and hence it may assume the form of ordinary outlet box, or in the form of a be several feet long. The box is preferably provided with a removable cover 21, held in place by wing nuts 22 threaded onto studs 23, attached to the box and 1: assing through the cover as indicated. The box is provided with a Dl'lll'b bcr oil a knock-outs 24 to carry the lcad-in Wires.

One or more receptacles A: for attachment plugs are mounted on the inside oi? the cover 21 by means of straps 25, which are attached to the receptacle nd fastened to the cover of the box by screws 26, as indicated. receptacles have the usual i -shaped slots 24" to receive the blades of an attachment plug. The cover is provided with holes or apert 2? so that the receptacles are accessible .m the outside of the cover. It will thus be see that it is possible to permanently wire in the receptacles and to have all the connection. to them housed in the box 20, also that th contacts in the receptacles 2a are access bl through the holes in the cover of the box.

A sleeve 28 is mounted in each of the holes 27 in the cover of the box so as to project out ardly from the box. In order that the sleeve may be aligned with the contacts in the receptacle 2%, it is provided with a slot 29 (see Figure 8) through which a prong 30 in the cover of the box is placed. Alter the sleeve is inserted in place, so as to bring the bead 32 against the cover, the inner end oil? the sleeve is bent outwardly as indicated at 3 1,

c, 0 on @D ternal shoulder thereby pern'ianently fastening the parts together. 'l h sleeves 28 ma he made in various terms, depending upon the type of unit with which they are to be used, as will be explained below.

As shown in Figures 1 to l, inclusive, and in Figure the lighting units which may be used in the present form of apparatus may include, as above indica ed, a lamp, lamp socket, connector, reflector and roundel suit able for connecting the unit into the con tacts in the receptacle 2%. The reflector and roundol. may be omitted where not needed. As here shown, an insulating body 33 is pro vided with #entral and s l contacts 34 and 35 for the lamp socket, and these contacts are suitably connected to a pair of blades which project rcarwardly lrom the insulating body; These blades are of the proper size and spacing to cooperate with the concarried in the slots 24 and an in the receptacle 'lhe insulating body 33 is per-- manently and innnovably fastened inside a metal. sleeve 8? by being held between a flange on the inner end oi thsleeve and an in- The sleeve 3? is oi? the proper length and diameter to surround the st m ll) of a lamp bulb 41. At the outer end 4-2, this sleeve is attached to a suitably shaped metal reflector it? which reflector may, if desired, be provided with a glass roundel the selected color and shape. The sleeve 3: is also provided with a proje .zion a5, hava predetermined angular position relative to the plug contacts 36, while the guiding sleeve 28, carried on the box cover, is provided with a slot to cooperate with the projection 45. ()ne may then slide the sleeve 37 into the sleeve 28, and the projection and slot as and 46 will facilitate guid'no; the blade contacts into the contacts carried by the plug. 7

When the lighting apparatus is to be used in positions in which the lighting units project upwardly, there is no tendencyior the lighting units to separate from the s ation ary box and parts carried thereby. in this case, it is not necessary to provide a locking trio-vs means to prevent unintentional removal of,

the lighting units. A smoot sleeve may be used as indicated at 28 in Figures 4 and 5. Where the units are for use overhead or as side lights, however, it is desirable to lock them in. place. Such a locking (lOVlC, is shown in Figures 1, 3, 7, and 8. A locking collar 47 is passed onto the sleeve 28 above the head 82, and a bead 48 is formed near the outer end of the sleeve 28. This bead 48 will prevent the removal of the collar li', but the collar may slide back and forth between the beads 48 and 32, and may be turned about as desired. This locking collar is in the form of a ring provided with a raise knurled central portion 49, and is cut away as indicated at 50 and so that the 'uoicction ma pass underneath the raised portion of the locking collar whenthe cutaway portions and 51 are in line with slot 46. i

The lighting units may be provided with various sized reflectors which may be .arranged to direct the light in any desired direction by soldering the reflector 43 to the tube'37. Various sized and colored glass roundels may be used, and the complete unit, including the lamp, may be handled as a unitary device without danger of breakage or derangement of parts. When it is desired to change the color or direction of the light emitted from the apparatus, it is onlynecessary to change the units by withdrawing them from the guiding and alignment tubes 28, and insert other units. The parts are all arranged so that the units are interchangeable and may be plugged in with the assurance that the lighting will be of the desired intensity and directed at the proper angle.

The locking collars 47, when turned out or away from, the position shown in Figure 8, effectively prevent unintentional removal of the units and will hold them in position when the lighting units hang down from the box. The tubular guiding and alignment sleeves not only serve for aligning the parts of the lighting units, but they make the entire construction more rigid and relieve the electric contacts of mechanical load. The parts are securely held and not likely tobeconie loose on account of repeated handling or rough usage.

In some cases it is desirable to provide protection for the lighting units." In this case,

guard straps 52 may be suitably attached to the box, so as to extend beyond the lighting units as indicated in Figure 1, and sheet metal guards 53 and 54 may be riveted to these guard frames. These parts are arranged so that the lighting units are protected against accident, without, however, interfering with the removing of the, units. Where the apparatus is to be suspended from overhead or is to be carried at the side, it may be con veniently'mounted on pipes or other supports by providing a number of straps 55 which maybe rcmovably attached to the back side or bottom of the box, as indicated in Figure 1.

In some cases it is desirable to use large units in which the lamps have mogul bases. Such an installation is shown in Figures 10 and 11, where the box 20 may be provided with the guard and guard straps, as above described and also with the supporting straps 55. The cover of the box preferably carries the receptacles 24 to one side of the center. It is necessary to provide the guiding sleeve used in the other form of apparatus. In this case the lighting unit includes a lamp 60, mogul socket 61, reflector 62, and mounting member 63, which is attached to the reflector and which carries the socket6'1. A cord 64 is permanently connected with thesocket.

1 axis.

as illustrated, and is provided with an attachment plug 65 cooperable with the receptacle 24". A convenient form of support for the lighting unit is also shown. Here the mounting member 63 is clamped inside a split ring 66 and this ring is provided with threaded studs 87 Whch are provided with wing nuts 68 while the cover 21 is provided with a U-shaped strap 69 riveted to it, as indicated. The ends of the strap 69 are provided with slots 70 for the reception of the studs 67.

i It is of course understood that any numit may be moved into various angular positions by being turned in the stud 67 as an This type of apparatus may be mounted in the same manner as any of the types above described, and it will be obvious that interchangeable mogul socketlighting units may be provided for the purposes above set forth.

The form shown in Figures 8 and 9 is the same as that above described except that the cover 71 is in the formof an outlet box cover having the usual attaching devices with a guiding sleeve 28 and receptacle 2% so that one lighting unit may be installed.

Theaters may be provided with a suitable number of the boxes for the lighting desired, and the lighting effect may be varied by suitably placing the previously assembled lighting units, These units may be obtained in various sizes, colors and shapes so that any desired effect maybe obtained- These advantages may be obtained without changing the electrical connections in the boxes and ordinary stage hands may make the changes.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied in many forms and. constructions within the scope of theclaims, and I wish it to be understood that the particular forms shown are but a few of the many forms.

sleeve extending along the neck of the lamp to protect it, and a reflector non-rotatably carried by the sleeve and surrounding thebulb of the lamp, the axis of the reflector being oblique to the axis of the lamp and at a predetermined angle to the plugging contacts.

2. A rigid self-sustaining enclosed lighting unit for display purposes and capable of being connected as a unit to stationary receptaclecontacts by plugging, comprising, a metallic sleeve, an insulating body fixedly carried in the sleeve, said body having plug contacts projecting beyond the sleeve and. a threaded highwattagc lamp socket inside the sleeve, a lamp carried by the socket with its bulb projecting 'eyond the sleeve, a reflector fixedly attached to the end oi? the sleeve and surrounding; the lamp bulb and having its axis oblique to the axis oil. the sleeve, and an alignment device carried by the sleeve and having a predetermined angular relation with the plug contacts.

3. In combination, an electric lamp, a conncctor having a socket for the lamp and a pair of plug contacts, a sleeve in which the connector is mounted, a reflector carried by the sleeve and surrounding the bulb ot the lamp, an apertured fined support, a fixed sleeve communicating with the aperture in the support, and a pair of fixed contacts car ried by the support on the opposite side of the aperture, the first sleeve being slidable in the second sleeve to bring the pairs of contacts together.

4. In combination, an electric lamp, a connector having a socket for the lamp and a pair 01' plug contacts, a sleeve in which the connector is mounted, a reflector carried by the sleeve and surrounding the bulb of the lamp, an apertured. fixed support, a fined sleeve communicating with the aperture in the support, and a pair 01 fixed contacts car ried by the support on the opposite side of the aperture, the first sleeve being slidable in the second sleeve to bring the pairs of contacts together, the two sleeves having; cooperative aligning devices having predeten mined angular relation with the contacts.

5. In combination, an electric lamp, a corn nector having a socket for the lamp and a pair of plug contacts, a sleeve in which the connector is mounted, a reflector carried by the sleeve and surrounding the bulb of the lamp, an apertured fixed support, a fixed sleeve communicating with the aperture in the support, and a pair of fixed contacts carried by the support on the opposite side of the aperture, the first sleeve having a projection slidable in a slot in the second sleeve to guide the pairs of contacts together.

6. In combination, an electric lamp, a conhector having a socket for the lamp and a pair of plug:- contacts, a sleeve in which the connector is mounted, a reflector carried by the sleeve and surrounding the bulb of the lamp, an apertured fixed support, a fixed sleeve communicating W11. the aperture in the support, a pair of fixed contacts carried by the support on the opposite side of the aperture, the first sleeve havinga projection slidable in a slot in the second sleeve to guide the pairs of contacts together, and a locking collar non-rcmovably carried by the second eeve, the projection being unable to pass by the collar except when in a predetermined position.

7. In combination, a fixed support carrya plug receptacle on one side and a guiding and supporting sleeve on the oppositeside and having an aperture between the receptacle and sleeve, an insulating body having contacts cooperable with the receptacle contacts and a lamp socket, a tube in which the insulating body is fixedly mounted, the tube siidably fitting the guiding sleeve, a lamp in the lamp socket, and a reflector carried by the tube and surrounding the lamp, the lamp, insulating bony, reflector and tube being in'the form or a bodily removable unit.

o. In combination, a fixed support carrying a plug receptacle on one side and a guiding and supporting sleeve on the opposite side and having an aperture between the receptacle and sleeve, an insulating body having contacts cooperable with the receptacle conand a lamp socket, a tube in which the insulating body is fixedly mounted, the tube slidably fittingthe guiding sleeve, a lamp in the lamp socket, and a refiectorcarried by the t1 be and surroundingthe lamp, the lamp, insul 'ng body, reflector and tube being in the form of a bodily removable unit, the tube and sleeve having coop rative aligning devices having predetermined angular relation with the contacts.

9. In combination, a fixed support carrying a pl 11;; receptacle on one side and a guiding; and supporting; sleeve on the opposite side and having an aperture between the reccptacle'and sleeve, an. insulating body having contacts cooper-able with the receptacle contacts and a lamp socket, a tube in which the insulating body is fixedly mounted, the tube slidably fitting the guiding sleeve, .a lamp in the lamp socket, and a reflector carried by the tube and surrounding the lamp, the tube having a projection slid able in a slot in the sleeve to guide the pairs of contacts together, the lamp insulating" body, reflector and tube being in the form of a bodily removable unit.

10. In combination, a fixed. support carrying a plugreceptacle on one side and a guiding; and supporting sleeve on the opposite side and having an aperture between the re ceptacle and sleeve, an insulating body having contacts cooperable With the receptacle contacts and a lamp socket, a tube in which the insulating body is fixedly mounted, the tube slidably fitting the guiding sleeve, a lamp in the lamp socket, a reflector carried by the tube and surrounding the lamp, the

tube having a projection slidable in a slot in the sleeve to guide the pairs of contacts together, the lamp insulating body, reflector and tube being in the "form of a bodily removable unit, and a locking collar non-removably carried by the sleeve, the projection being unable to pass by the collar except when in a predetermined position. v 11. In lighting apparatus for display purposes, a plurality of interchangeable display lighting units, each comprising a lamp, a lamp base connected to plug contacts, a protective sleeve and reflector about the lamp and lamp base, the reflector being obliquely disposed relative to the axis of the sleeve, and at a predetermined angle to the plug contacts, and a box apertured to receive a plurality of the lighting units and having a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts and guiding sleevescooperative with the protective sleeve to. permit plugging the lighting units into the receptacles and for supporting them from the box, the contacts of the various receptacles being aligned whereby the reflectors are all directed at a predetermined angle.

12. In combination, a receptacle having a pair of fixed contacts, an apertured support for the receptacle, a connector having lamp socket contacts and a pair of movable plug contacts adapted to be plugged into the fixed contacts, a fixed sleeve having an alignment slot, a sleeve fixedly attached to and housing the connector, said sleeve having a projection cooperative with the alignment slot in the fixed sleeve, anda locking collar non-removably carried by the fixed sleeve, the projection being unable to pass by the collar except when it is in a predetermined position.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 18 day of December, 1925.

LEROY C. DOANE. 

